The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-07-01


| YOUR CLOSE Is ALL AFIRE-"
vulsively to the surface. In another
moment. dripping ike a river god and
crowned as to his head with pickerel
weed. Mr. Brown WAS sitting in the
boats bottom gasping for breath. while
Miss vanvarre. pale. but composed. sat
on one Of the thwarts steadfastly re-
gardiny him.
Miss vanvarre-Doris," he finally
said. in rather agitated voice. Il owe
you my life. and if the devotion Of a."
..W-h-a-n-gw
A deafening report in close proxim-
ity drowned the conclusion Of the ar
dent appeal and drew slight scream
from Miss vanvarre. whose pallor had
given place to roseate flush Taking
advantage Of their preoccupation Tom
nv Briggs had announced his coming
BY an unexpected salute from the prim-
tive cannon that he had mounted on
the raft Of fence poles which he was
slowly sculling toward them from the
opposite shore.
..Ship er hoyr' hailed the engaging
youth. whose features were decorated
with broad grin. and strike yer
colors or I'll blow We outer water
..All right Tommy-Tye surrend-
ered." unthinkingly called Miss Van
varre to cover her embarrassment
And then conscious Of the double cnten-
Dire which might be thus conveyed.
she blushed still more deeply As she
met Mr.. Browns impassioned gaze
Mr. Browns narrow escape as brief
" explained to Tommy did not affect
his outward ccmposure in the least
| Looks kinder like drowndid rat.
don't he, Miss Doris?" was his unfiat-
tering comment. As having transferred
his cannon and the oars to the skill. he
suffered the raft to 20 aIrift-
MY. though" continued the OBJ
serving boy. while Brown. having
shipped the oars. was pulling rapidly
to shore. FAINT your face red. Miss
Doris after wored vail
i Miss vauvarre murmured something
inaudible. and few moments later
Mr.. Brown. having recovered his dis
carded habiliments. was hurrying back
through the orchard without even q
parting look from Miss vanvarre.
, whose attention was claimed by the
irrepressible Tommy
II When half an hour afterward Brown.
! clothed and in his right mind. de-
scended with a fast beating heart 70
the old-fashioned sitting room, he
found il empty
Miss vanvarre had gone down the
street to buy fireworks for Tommy
l Briggs. who had accompanied her, and
,. il was not till long after supper that
Brown was able to obtain speech Of the
fair girl. who. with shyness entirely
foreign to her usual frank sclf-posses-
sion. seemed to evade his approach
N In front Of the piazza Tommy Briggs.
2 in company with select circle Of ju.
! venilc friends, was sending up rockets
and Roman candles while the sur
rounding atmosphere was sibilant with
whixxing pin-wheels and kissing ser
penis Of ire.
DORIS. in some airy white fabric,
stood leaning against one Of the piazzs
pillars with half dreamy look in her
violet eyes. which fell suddenly before
her lovers ardent glance
. Doris" he whispered. a be tool
y her unrcsisting hand. ''at last ! can
y "Pop-pop-pop" went half a bunch
y Of firc-craekers. tossed at their feet b.
playful Tommy Briggs.
: Almost simultaneously shrill scream
: from Mrs. Briggs. in the front door
rent the air.
q ..Fi-er! water! Miss Doris, you
\ close il all afirer' shricked the e.
: cited woman, and almost before III
= words had left her lips. Miss vanvarrc'
light dress famed up about her.
II There WAS neither rug or blanket Q
It strip Of carpet nearer than the sitting
: room. but quicker almost than the rs
a. alixation d the fact had 6ashc
A. through vandyke Browns mind. b
is had stripped Of his loose, ncgligce Goa
Of white flannel. and wrapped Il abcs
" the fair girls head and shoulder
a. Holding her and II closely In the en-
liz brace u his left arm. he tore ficrcely
nd the blazing dress fabric with his dise'
- gagged hand. crying hoarsciy for SON
M one 70 bring water--quick. for God
a. sake!
ln- Well. IL Wa Tommy Briggs himse